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Definition of thingumbob

thingumbob

/ˈθɪŋ.əmˌbɒb/
thing · um · bob
Plural:thingumbobs
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thingumbob Lexical Profile

thingumbob Game Scores & Validity

• noun

1

British An object, device, or person whose exact name one has forgotten, does not know, or does not wish to specify.

Example

"Pass me that little metal thingumbob on the workbench so I can tighten this hinge."

Synonyms
View all synonyms for thingumbob

• Nearby Words

thingamajig
thingumabob
thingumajig
thingumbob
thingummy
thingummybob
thingy

Word Origin & Etymology

First recorded in the mid-18th century, this playful placeholder word was formed by combining 'thing' with the fanciful rhyming or reduplicative ending '-umbob', likely influenced by 'Thingum' (an earlier placeholder name) and 'bob'.

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Thingumbob. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/thingumbob
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